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Questions and Answers
What contributes to the disintegration of rocks and the formation of soil through the activities of living organisms?
What contributes to the disintegration of rocks and the formation of soil through the activities of living organisms?
Which living organisms contribute to weathering by bringing new material to the surface?
Which living organisms contribute to weathering by bringing new material to the surface?
What role do micro-organisms play in the biological weathering process?
What role do micro-organisms play in the biological weathering process?
How do plants contribute to the breakdown of rock minerals?
How do plants contribute to the breakdown of rock minerals?
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Which of the following activities by living organisms does NOT directly contribute to biological weathering?
Which of the following activities by living organisms does NOT directly contribute to biological weathering?
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Study Notes
Biological Weathering and Soil Formation
- Disintegration of rocks and soil formation result from both physical and chemical weathering processes involving living organisms.
- Organisms contribute to physical weathering by breaking rocks apart, which increases surface area for further weathering.
Organisms Contributing to Weathering
- Plants: Roots penetrate rock crevices, exert pressure, and can produce organic acids that chemically weather minerals.
- Animals: Burrowing creatures, such as earthworms and rodents, disturb soil and expose underlying materials to weathering processes.
- Lichens and Mosses: These organisms colonize rocks, releasing acids that aid in breaking down rock components.
Role of Micro-organisms
- Microorganisms, including bacteria and fungi, decompose organic matter and release nutrients.
- They contribute to chemical weathering through the production of acids and other reactive compounds that dissolve minerals.
- Microbial activity also enhances soil structure by forming aggregates, making soil more stable.
Impact of Plants on Rock Minerals
- Plant roots secrete organic acids, which facilitate the breakdown of minerals through chemical reactions.
- Through the process of photosynthesis, plants alter the soil chemistry, affecting nutrient cycling and mineral availability.
Activities Not Directly Contributing to Biological Weathering
- Simple consumption of organic material by animals does not directly contribute to biological weathering processes, as it does not involve rock disintegration or mineral alteration.
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Description
Explore how living organisms contribute to the disintegration of rocks and the formation of soil through activities like root growth, tunneling animals, and plant decay.
